When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.

Your flight must arrive by or before: 11:59 p.m. on Day 1

Your flight must depart no earlier than: 12:00 a.m. on Day 10

Itinerary

Day 1Quito

Arrive at any time.

Located 2850m (9348ft) above sea level, the Ecuadorian capital of Quito enjoys a wonderful spring-like climate, despite the fact that it is only 22km (14 mi) south of the Equator.

On a clear day, several snow-capped volcanoes, including nearby Pichincha, are visible from the centre of this city nestled in a mountain-flanked valley. Add a rich history and a well-preserved colonial district to its beautiful location, and you can begin to understand why Quito appeals to thousands of tourists every year.

Booking pre- or post-trip accommodation is highly recommended to fully experience the city and take advantage of the many optional activities available.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting with G Representative

The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Your G Representative will review the details of your tour.

Optional Activities - Day 1

Quito City Tour

Quito

40-50USD per person

Take a tour of Quito to learn more about this beautiful city and its local culture. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the golden Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city.

Quito City Tour and Equator

Quito

45-60USD per person

Enjoy a city tour of Quito, visiting key sites including the Old Town, the Cathedral of Quito and the Panecillo. Also, explore the Mitad del Mundo or "Middle of the World," where you can straddle both sides of the Equator.

Middle of the World

Quito

40-50USD per person

Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere, visit the Intiñan Museum which showcases the immense cultural diversity within this small South American country. On the 00°00’00” magnetic line at the museum experiment with gravity. Later, head up to the Pululahua crater view point, one of the two inhabited volcanic caldera in the world.

Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day Trip

Cotopaxi

70-100USD per person

Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the afternoon. **Park entrance fee is not included and is split among the number of travellers in the group**

Otavalo Market - Full Day Trip

Otavalo

70-100USD per person

Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Head north from Quito along the Pan-American highway for 2.5 hours. On the way, visit the village of Calderon to see colourful figures made of bread and visit Cayambe to taste typical ‘biscochos’ (local biscuits). Try your hand at haggling in the market – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price. After, continue on to the leather market at Cotacachi or Peguche the weaving town. The market is open daily, however Saturdays are the busiest.

This trip takes roughy 8 hours, departs daily at 8 am.

Mindo Cloud Forest - Full Day Trip

Mindo

70-100USD per person

Drive northwest for 2 hours, enjoy the dramatic change of vegetation heading down from the Andes into the cloud forest. Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and adventure activities. Go walking through the cloud forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the different waterfalls, take time to ride up the cable car with amazing views. Visit a butterfly farm and see an array of colourful hummingbirds for which Mindo is renowned. In the afternoon, opt for an organic chocolate tour and tasting.

Papallacta Hot Springs - Full Day Trip

Papallacta

70-100USD per person

Drive two hours out of Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs, located on the Cinnamon trail, (65km from Quito) which is the same route that Francisco de Orellana took in 1542 when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, and discovered the Amazon River. Relax in hot springs of varying temperatures with views of the Antisana volcano. Opt to go hiking, horseback riding or get a spa service for an additional cost. Lunch and entrance fees to hot springs are not included.

Teleférico

Quito

8USD per person

Enjoy spectacular views of Quito from this sky tram up Volcán Pichincha. Choose to go for a hike at the top, or just come along for the ride.

Accommodation

Hotel Quito (or similar)

Hotel

Day 2Quito/Santa Cruz Island

Fly to Santa Cruz and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station.

Fly to Santa Cruz. Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station. Inaugurated in 1964 and based in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Research Station is the one place where visitors can easily see the famous Galapagos tortoises, which can live up to two hundred years. This is a great opportunity to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity, brought back from the brink of extinction.

Flight

Quito – Santa Cruz Island3h

Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

Charles Darwin Research Station Visit

Puerto Ayora45m

Visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, a scientific organization initiated in 1964, which works to preserve the Galápagos' ecosystem through the conservation efforts of scientists, researchers, and volunteers. The research station provides a study location for international scientists and environmental education for the local community.

The station is also a great place to observe many species of tortoises and land iguanas in captivity in the Fausto Llerena Breeding Centre. Brought back from the brink of extinction, see the famous Galápagos tortoise up close – a corral houses adult tortoises, and a nursery cares for the young until around age three when their shells have hardened.

Accommodation

Hotel Lobo de Mar (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Santa Cruz Island

Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to see the giant tortoise's natural habitat. In the afternoon, kayak the Itabaca Canal and explore the lively underwater world with a mask and snorkel.

Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz to observe the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. The area is also famous for amazing lava tunnels, some of which are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! From this elevation, the panoramic views of the other islands are stunning.

Santa Cruz Highlands Excursion

Santa Cruz Island2h-3h

Visit the highlands of Santa Cruz and see the Galápagos giant tortoise in its natural surroundings. Explore the area and its incredible underground lava tunnels – some are more than 1km (.6 mi) long! Wander along the volcanic tubes and keep an eye out for the (mainly) nocturnal barn owls that sometimes roost here.

Kayaking (Itabaca Canal)

Santa Cruz Island

Kayak in the Itabaca canal that separates Santa Cruz Island from Baltra Island. Keep an eye out for nearby pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and other seabirds.

Snorkelling (Itabaca Canal)

Santa Cruz Island

Jump in and explore the underwater world where schools of yellowtail surgeonfish, king angelfish and parrotfish dance in the gentle waves. Spot turtles, friendly sea lions pups and small, docile, whitetip reef sharks.

Accommodation

Hotel Lobo de Mar (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 4Santa Cruz Island/Floreana Island

Spend a free morning enjoying Santa Cruz, before crossing by speedboat to Floreana, where there are opportunities to swim and snorkel. In the afternoon enjoy an excursion to the highlands of Floreana.

After a free morning, depart Santa Cruz and head to Floreana Island. Keep an eye out for dolphins and the magnificent albatross along the way. Enjoy an introduction to snorkelling directly off Black Beach on the island. After, head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and bucaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.

Please note that travel between islands is done by speedboat. The ride can be quite rough, especially from July to December. Make sure to bring sea sickness medication if you are prone to sea sickness.

Speedboat

Santa Cruz Island – Floreana Island2h-3h

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Black Beach Snorkelling

Floreana Island2h-3h

Try an introduction to snorkelling straight off the black sands of Floreana. Immerse yourself in the waters of the Galápagos and meet some of the local wildlife.

Floreana Highlands Excursion

Floreana Island2h-3h

Head up to the seldom-visited highlands of Floreana. Hear the tales about the pirates, whalers, seal hunters and buccaneers who once lived in this isolated and unique landscape.

Free Time

Santa Cruz IslandMorning

Get out and explore.

G Adventures for Good: Floreana Community Restaurants

To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

Accommodation

Floreana Lava Lodge (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 5Floreana Island

Enjoy a visit to Loberia, where there are opportunities to swim and snorkel. Opt to explore the area around Black Beach.

Walk along the black sand beach to Loberia to enjoy beach snorkelling or swimming. Please be sure you are a comfortable swimmer. The water here can be rough and the currents are strong.

Loberia Snorkelling Excursion

Floreana Island1h-2hAfternoon

Snorkel straight off the beach at Loberia, and get up close to the diverse wildlife in the waters around the Galápagos. Please be sure you are a strong swimmer; the water here can be rough and the currents are strong.

G Adventures for Good: Floreana Community Restaurants

To further benefit the community on Floreana island G has provided training to residents for all aspects of tourism, including food preparation and service. The community will provide your meals while staying on this small island. The meals are rotated amongst different community members in order to spread out the benefits of tourism. While eating at the community restaurants you will be contributing to the self-sufficiency of the first community tourism operator in the Galápagos.

Accommodation

Floreana Lava Lodge (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6Floreana Island/Isabela Island

Morning speedboat ride boat to Isabela Island. Enjoy a kayak excursion near Tintoreras and then jump in for a snorkel nearby.

Take a morning speedboat journey to Isabela Island. Visit Tintoreras to kayak and observe the whitetip reef sharks found swimming in the channels between the rocks. Get a close-up view of pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies. Watch for manta rays and rare Galápagos penguins, of which only 800 pairs exist.

Speedboat

Floreana Island – Isabela Island2h37km

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Las Tintoreras Excursion

Las Tintoreras

Tour the "Tintoreras" to watch manta rays and whitetip reef sharks swim in the channels between the rocks. Get up close to pelicans, frigatebirds, and diving blue-footed boobies, and keep an eye out for rare Galápagos penguins, the only species found in Galápagos and north of the Equator.

Snorkelling

Isabela Island

Go snorkelling near Las Tintoreras, located south of Puerto Villamil – it's the perfect place to glide along watching the magic unfold under the water’s surface. Look out for sea lions, sea turtles, marine iguanas, and if you're lucky some Galápagos penguins.

Accommodation

Hotel Tintoreras (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 7Isabela Island

Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano to see the second-largest crater in the world and enjoy a downhill bike excursion. Visit the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre on the way back to town. Opt to take surfing lessons on the nearby beach.

Take a full day tour on Isabela Island that includes a trek up the Sierra Negra Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in Galápagos boasting the second largest crater in the world. Hike to the summit to experience a birds-eye view of the magical landscape.

Stop by the Giant Tortoise Breeding Centre on the way back to town. In the evening, opt for a surfing lesson or relax at the bar or on the beach and enjoy a nice cold beer or cocktail.

Private Vehicle

Isabela Island – Sierra Negro3h55km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Sierra Negra Volcano Excursion

Isabela Island2h

Lace up your hiking boots to explore Sierra Negra Volcano, which has the largest basaltic caldera in the Galápagos. The volcano last erupted in October 2005, making it the most recent eruption in the Galápagos.

Optional Activities - Day 7

Surfing Lesson

Isabela Island

40USD per person

Grab your swimsuit and get ready to hang ten! Learn how to find and ride the waves with surfing lessons from local experts. Enjoy the fresh sea air, and try to spot local marine life while enjoying the waters.

Accommodation

Hotel Tintoreras (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 8Isabela Island/Santa Cruz Island

Free day to enjoy Isabela Island, choose from snorkelling, surfing or a variety of other activities before returning to Santa Cruz by speedboat.

Enjoy a day free for activities in Isabela Island, where how much activity is involved is up to you. In the afternoon, set sail for Santa Cruz Island and dock at the town of Puerto Ayora. After a late hotel check-in, enjoy free time to explore this bustling little town and sample some of the local restaurants and bars, or maybe do some souvenir shopping in one of the many shops.

Speedboat

Isabela Island2h46km

Cut swiftly through the water en route to the next stop (and hang on to your hat).

Free Time

Isabela IslandFull Day

Get out and explore.

Accommodation

Hotel Lobo de Mar (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Santa Cruz Island/Quito

Transfer across Santa Cruz Island to Baltra. Fly back to Quito.

After a transfer over the island of Santa Cruz, arrive at Baltra Island for the return flight to Quito. Upon arrival in Quito, transfer to the hotel for one last night on the town. Our representative in Quito will be able to advise on and help with some of the many day tours available in and around Quito.

Ferry

Santa Cruz Island – Baltra Ferry Terminal

Take a private van to the ferry terminal on Santa Cruz island, before taking a short ferry to Baltra. Once there, a short ride on a public bus will take you to the airport.

Plane

Baltra Airport – Quito3h970km

Once arriving back in Quito, a private van will transfer you to the hotel for the evening.

Accommodation

Hotel Quito (or similar)

Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 10Quito

Depart at any time. To fully experience this charming city, booking pre- or post-accommodation is highly recommended.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Optional Activities - Day 10

Quito City Tour

Quito

40-50USD per person

Take a tour of Quito to learn more about this beautiful city and its local culture. Visit the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stops at the golden Compañia Church, San Francisco Square, and the Panecillo, a towering statue of the virgin of Quito who looks out over a stunning view of the city.

Quito City Tour and Equator

Quito

45-60USD per person

Enjoy a city tour of Quito, visiting key sites including the Old Town, the Cathedral of Quito and the Panecillo. Also, explore the Mitad del Mundo or "Middle of the World," where you can straddle both sides of the Equator.

Middle of the World

Quito

40-50USD per person

Drive 25km (16 mi) north of Quito to the Middle of the World, latitude 0º. Stand with one foot in each hemisphere, visit the Intiñan Museum which showcases the immense cultural diversity within this small South American country. On the 00°00’00” magnetic line at the museum experiment with gravity. Later, head up to the Pululahua crater view point, one of the two inhabited volcanic caldera in the world.

Cotopaxi Volcano - Full Day Trip

Cotopaxi

70-100USD per person

Enjoy a spectacular 2 hour drive to Cotopaxi Volcano National Park to see the highest active volcano in the world (5,897m/ 19,347 ft). Visit a museum in the park and hike around a lagoon at the bottom of the volcano to learn about the flora and fauna found at this altitude. Continue by car up the volcano to the parking lot, at over 4,500m/14,763 ft. Walk for an hour and a half to the refuge and after a short break, continue to the glacier (if the weather holds out). Return to Quito in the afternoon. **Park entrance fee is not included and is split among the number of travellers in the group**

Otavalo Market - Full Day Trip

Otavalo

70-100USD per person

Discover some amazing local art, tapestries, and textiles at Otavalo’s famous artisan market, the largest handicraft market in South America. Wander the stalls to meet local artists, and find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Head north from Quito along the Pan-American highway for 2.5 hours. On the way, visit the village of Calderon to see colourful figures made of bread and visit Cayambe to taste typical ‘biscochos’ (local biscuits). Try your hand at haggling in the market – it’s expected for every purchase. A good negotiator could get at least 20 per cent off the starting price. After, continue on to the leather market at Cotacachi or Peguche the weaving town. The market is open daily, however Saturdays are the busiest.

This trip takes roughy 8 hours, departs daily at 8 am.

Mindo Cloud Forest - Full Day Trip

Mindo

70-100USD per person

Drive northwest for 2 hours, enjoy the dramatic change of vegetation heading down from the Andes into the cloud forest. Mindo is a tiny town set amidst some of the most beautiful and peaceful countryside in the entire country. It is a centre for both nature and adventure activities. Go walking through the cloud forest and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the different waterfalls, take time to ride up the cable car with amazing views. Visit a butterfly farm and see an array of colourful hummingbirds for which Mindo is renowned. In the afternoon, opt for an organic chocolate tour and tasting.

Papallacta Hot Springs - Full Day Trip

Papallacta

70-100USD per person

Drive two hours out of Quito to Papallacta Hot Springs, located on the Cinnamon trail, (65km from Quito) which is the same route that Francisco de Orellana took in 1542 when he crossed the Andean mountain range in search of spices and gold, and discovered the Amazon River. Relax in hot springs of varying temperatures with views of the Antisana volcano. Opt to go hiking, horseback riding or get a spa service for an additional cost. Lunch and entrance fees to hot springs are not included.

Teleférico

Quito

8USD per person

Enjoy spectacular views of Quito from this sky tram up Volcán Pichincha. Choose to go for a hike at the top, or just come along for the ride.

ACCEPT COOKIESTo give you the best possible experience, this site uses cookies. Using this site means you agree to our use of cookies. We have published a cookies policy, which you should read to find out more about the cookies we use. View cookies policy.